Yashasvi Jaiswal's Test career is just 17 matches old, but the great Brian Lara believes if anyone can come close to his lofty achievements, including the record of 400 not knocked out, it is the 22-year-old left-hander from India . Lara's words of praise for Jaiswal did not come out of the blue. The lefty two-handers share a special bond as they have spent a lot of time in the past year after their “4am chat” during the IPL, when the West Indian coached Sunrisers Hyderabad and the young opener was in the camp of the Rajasthan Royals used to be.
A lot has changed since IPL 2023, with Jaiswal now becoming an integral part of the Indian Test and T20 team. His performances in the longest format stand out as he averaged almost 70 with three hundreds in the recent home series against England, including two double tons. What has impressed Lara is Jaiswal's ability to change gears depending on the situation in the game.
“If I feel my data is being threatened, Jaiswal has a very good chance of doing that. He has capabilities, several hundred of them already. That's how good he is,” Lara told PTI editors at the headquarters in a interaction organized by Star Sports where he is a commentator and expert for the ongoing IPL.
Lara, who recently turned 55, is one of the greatest players of all time and has amassed nearly 12,000 runs in Tests and over 10,000 runs in ODIs. His record for the highest individual total, 400 not out against England in 2004, still stands high.
Lara looked back fondly on his first meeting with Jaiswal when he was asked about a light moment they shared on the sidelines of the Rajasthan Royals and SRH clash in the ongoing season.
“The only thing I can reveal about that (conversation) is that I think he is an excellent young cricketer. What I like about him is that he is very humble and willing to work. The first time I met him (last year), I immediately noticed that I was attached to him.
“After the match (SRH vs Royals) I went to the hotel with a friend of mine from the Caribbean who knew Jos Buttler. It was midnight and Jaiswal found me. I promise you I left the hotel at 4am .
“He just wanted to hear more and more and more. That's one of his amazing qualities. His ability to want to learn as much as he can. Our conversations are about trying to make him a better cricketer. I'm available to anyone who wants to has my number. I like to talk about cricket.” Being left-handed himself, it is normal that Lara has a preference for that tribe. Another left-hander he greatly admires is Abhishek Sharma with whom he spent time at SRH.
“He is again someone I met when I was batting coach of SRH. I spent two years there. I may be a little biased when I see a left-hander, I just like a left-hander. Myself and Abhishek have developed a very good relationship, these young people are very modest, they want to learn.
“What I love about these two is that they want to reach great heights. I have great admiration for both of them.” The Trinidadian legend believes that records are usually threatened by batters who score quickly and Jaiswal has that ability along with the hunger to bat for long.
His 400 not out hasn't been surpassed in 20 years and Lara hopes he's still around to see the day his record is broken.
“I think now about the pace at which these guys are batting. And you look at the guys over the years who have challenged that 300-mark and plus. It's Chris Gayle. It's Virender Sehwag. It's Sanath Jayasuriya, it's Inzamam-ul- Haq. It's Matthew Hayden. These are guys who destroy bowling attacks.
“…you wouldn't say that for Rahul Dravid or Steve Smith in this case. But a player who likes to score quickly gets a chance. You know, Jaiswal, I mean I was in Australia when David Warner came close and you know you, he's an aggressive player.
“So I believe yes, I think at some point it will break. I think it has to be that person's fate. Everything has to fall into place. And… I look forward to that time. I hope that it happens.” while I'm still here,” he said.
Topics mentioned in this article